Vehicle control system



D. H. KENNY vmnrcu CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Sept. 20, 19:58 5

7 2 Sheets-Sheet l /70 M if NEW/5727071 Aug. 12, 1941. KENNY I 2,252,009- VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM I Filed Sept, 20, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/K. J77 479,

- crumed at 5. This lever conventional type,- but in Patented Aug. 12, 1941 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM Douglas H. Kenny, Boston, Mass,

assignor of forty-nine one-hundredths to Morris Nadell,

Boston, Mass.

Application September 20, 1938, Serial No. 230,894

10 Claims.

This invention relates to control systems for vehicles, and more particularly to vehicles driven by a prime mover such as an internal combustion engine'where it is necessary to apply load after the prime mover has been started and to effect vention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which--' Figure 1 is a diagram of a system embodying the invention and wherein hydraulic pressure electrically controlled is employed for shifting gears and for operating the clutch.

Figure 2 is a diagram of a system in which clutch and gears are actuated by vacuum through electrical control.

Figure 3 is a somewhat conventional fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in section and showing the application to the gear shift of the actuating and controlling mechanism shown diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a detail section on line t-ti of Figure 3.

Referring first to the diagram of Figure 1, at l is shown somewhat conventionally the clutch of a motor vehicle spring-pressed to closed position, and opened by mechanical means through the movement to the left, as viewed in this figure, of an actuating bar 2. This bar is shown as pivoted at 3 to the clutch-actuating lever t fult corresponds to the clutch release pedal lever of an automobile of the this embodiment no foot-engaging portion need be employed since there is no occasion for the operator toactuate it himself.

Also shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure 1 is a gas intake valve ll therein. This control valve is normally under the control of an accelerator pedal, a porline i having a control,

closed. The clutch element I4 is axially movable into and out of clutching engagement with the member I3 and is normally held in such engagement as by the spring 20. It is provided with an extension 2! which projects through an opening in a vacuum chamber 22 and carries a diaphragm I so that when a vacuum is produced in the chamber the clutch element from the element 13 and thus disconnect the throttle l2 from the valve H and permit the spring IE to close it. The purpose of this-will later appear.

At 25 in Figure 4 is illustrated a conventional transmission having sliding gears 26 and 2! tion of this being indicated diagrammatically at H, but interposed between the pedal and the valve II] is a clutch comprising a pair of clutch elements l3 and M. The clutch element I3 is fixed to the rock shaft l5 which actuates the valve I l and a coil spring l6 engaging at opposite ends on an arm ll carried by the shaft l5 and a fixed pin l8 normally tends to hold the valve it later described.

' contact lever such electrical increases'or decreases byvpredetermined amounts which are movable in the 'well known manner to change from one to another speed or to'reverse driving connections. This gear shifting may be accomplished by movement of a control arm 30 in the usual H form of the standard shift, but here again as this shifting is not required to be manually operated, the usual actuating handle which extends within reach of the operator may be omitted, the arm terminating at its ball pivot 30a. Such a shifting mechanism requires movement of its control lever in two angularly related directions, one longitudinally of the vehicle and the other laterally thereof, and for the purpose of performing the desired motions of this shift lever to produce the desired gear change, a pair of hydraulic cylinders 3i and 32 have been provided. Each of these hydraulic cylinders is shown as pivotally mounted as at 32 and 33 and contains a piston provided with a piston rod 34, 35. These piston rods are arranged at right angles to each other and eachvis connected to the shift arm 30 through a flexible link 36. By

suitable actuation of these hydraulic motor units 3i and 32 the shift lever can be made to take its proper positions for the three forward speeds normally employed, neutral, and the reverse gear connections. The operations of these will be The control by which these operations are effected includes a speed-responsive device shown as a centrifugal governor 40, the speed of rotation of which governs the angular position of a M, this contact lever establishing connections as the governor speed or to predetermined values as to insure the proper gears in the transmission being efiective to transmit power. This governor is rotated as long as the car is in motion and may be connected to any suitable rotating part, the rotation of which is controlled bythe motion of the I4 will be drawn away tem. Such a hydraulic. system may comprise, for example, a sourceof liquid supply 45 from which liquid such as oil, or the like, is taken through the pipe 46 by a suitable pump 41 from which the fluid under pressure passes through a pipe 48 to a tank 49. This pump 41 is connected up in any suitable manner to the vehicle engine so that whenever the engine is running, the pressure pump is also running, but in order that excess pressure of fluid may not be produced, the pump 41 may be by-passed by a pressure relief valve at 50 so that as long as the tank '49 is supplied with fluid under pressure, the pump merely circulates the fluid idly, it escaping from the pipe 48 through the valve 50 and back to the intake side of the pump or to the storage tank 45.

The control of the fluid pressure mechanism to accomplish the desired gear changes is shown as accomplished electrically, the major controls, which are actuated by the operator, being a switch 55 which may be set in any selected of three positions, neutral, forward and reverse,

and a push button switch 56. Assuming that the 'driver wishes to move forward, he starts the engine in the usual manner, no connections for this being shown herein, this starting the pump P and establishing pressure fiuid in the tank 49. The governor is not then in motion because this'is connected with the vehicle drive mecha--, nism and does not begin to turn until the vehicle moves. The switch lever 55 being in the forward position, the button 56 is momentarily depressed; This establishes a connection fromthe battery 51 through the lead 58, main control switch 59, through the-contact button 4|, leads 60 and GI to the solenoid 62 of the valve 620 and to ground at 63. Energization of the solenoid 62 of the valve 620 opens a connection through the passage 64 from the reservoir 49 to the clutch cylinder 20, forcing the piston 65 to the left and releasing the clutch by the motion of the bar 2. This also effects serially electrical connections at 10, 1| and 12 which accomplish the following results.

The first connection is made at 10 between the lead 15 to the switch arm 55m the battery,

and through the lead 16 to the normally closed solenoid-opened valve 11 and to'ground at 18. The actuation of the solenoid of valve 11 opens a passage 19 to vacuum, which results in withdrawing the clutch element I4, and disconnectmg the accelerator pedal from the throttle, which allows the throttle to close. The closure of the contact at 1| connects the lead 15 from the switch arm 55 with the lead 85, which connects to the contact 13 of arm 4| of the governor, This contact '13 connects with contact 86 which is connected through the lead 01 with the relay 88 and then to ground at 89. Energization of the relay, 88 closes contacts at 90 and 9| to the lea'd81. By closing the contact at 90 the lead 01 is connected to the lead 92 which goes to the solenoid of the valve 93 and acts to move this valve to open communication through the conduit 94 with the conduit 95 leading to the gear shifting-cylinder 3| above its piston, thus shifting the lever downwardly as viewed in Figure 1 from its neutral position.

and while the clutch is open and the throttle closed.

Closing of the contact at 12 results in energizing the lead I05 from the lead 15 which passes to the two solenoids I06 and |01. The energization of the solenoids I60 and I01 opens the valve I08 andshuts off the valve 620, thus opening the cylinder 20 to discharge through the throttle valve I09 to the supply tank 45. -The clutch spring then acts to close the clutch, the valve I09 acting by its adjustment to ease the closing action to the desired extent. The closing of the clutch breaks the contacts at 12, 1| and 1'0, de-energizing the solenoid of valve 11 so that the throttle is-returned to pedal control, the lead and governor contact 13 is de-energized which results in de-energizing the relay 88, opening the circuit at the contacts and 9|, allow ing the valves 93 and I00 to discharge fluid under pressure from the shifting cylinders 3| and 32. The vehicle is then in first gear forward with the clutch closed and the throttle under control by the foot pedal, the solenoidopened valve 11 being closed so that the vehicle starts forward and rotation of the governor 40 begins.

As the speed of the vehicle'increases causing increase of governor speed, the contact 13 of arm 4| is moved from contact 86 to make contact at IIO with the lead 2 and at,|25 with the lead I26 both from the lead as.

The connection of contact I25 to the lead 86 by the swinging of the switch arm 34 acts through the leads I26 and I21 which joins the lead 6| to energize the solenoid 62 and move the valve 620 to open connection from the fluid pressure reservoir 49 through the conduit 64 back of the piston, 65, thus to throw out the clutch 2 and to make the connections serially at 10, 1| and 12, as previously described, to cause the gas throttle to be closed and ultimately the clutch to be reengaged. The making of the connection at the contact 1| energizes the contact 13, which now being connected at H 0 to the lead II2 causes the relay 3 to close, and makes' connection with contacts I20 and I2I. The closing of the contact at I20 acts to energize the lead |30 leading to the solenoid-actuated valve I3| and causes this valve to open connection through the conduit I32 to the cylinder 3| in' a direction to force the piston therein upwardly and move the gear shift leverlaterally from its neutral position. The closing of the contact at I35 and actuates the solenoid-actuated valve I36 to open a connection through the conduit I31 to the right hand end of the cylinder 32, thus to force the piston 21 therein to theleft, the combined actions of these last two circuits placing the shift lever in the second speed position, this being accomplished before the clutch is returned to clutching position. It will be noted that when |2| energizes the lead arm contact 31, de-energizing the relay II 3, breaking connection at I20 and I2I and-permitting the valve I3I and I36 to cause discharge from the shifting cylinders 3I and 32.

By depressing the accelerator pedal the engine is further accelerated, thus speeding up the governor 40 and moving the switch arm 4| until contact 13 connects with the contacts I40 and line 86 connects with contact I4I. Connection of the lead 86 with the contact I4I energizes the lead I42 which passes through a normally closed switch at I43 to a lead I44 connecting with. the lead I26. This, also, through its connectionto the lead I21, acts to move the valve 620 to the right, opening the conduit 64 to the clutch cylinder 20 so as to release? the clutch, and the clutch lever then goes through its cycle of operations as previously described.

The closure of connection to the contact I40 energizes the lead I45 after the clutch contact H has been closed by the opening of the clutch, which closes the relay I45, and this completes the circuit through the contacts I41 and I48. The contact at I41 energizes the lead I30 and moves the'valve' I3I to open the conduit I32 to the shift cylinder 3I to move its piston upwardly, and the.

closing of the contact I48 energizes the lead 91 to move the valve I to open fluid pressure to the left hand end of the shift cylinder 32. These motions move the shift lever into high speed position. A dog I50 on the rod 35, when the piston of cylinder 32 is moved to high speed position, strikes the switch I43 and opens it. This acts to prevent a reduction in speed of the vehicle to a point which would cause the lever 34 to make contact at H0 and I25 from throwing into action the shift mechanism to return to second speed, it being necessaryfor the governor to drop back to a still lower speed where the contacts 13 and 86 connect before this can happen. If it is desired to remain in second speed to use the engine as a brake going down hill, the switch 59 is opened when the car is in second speed so that an increase in car speed will not'be effective to shift to high gear.

It willbe noted that when the switch arm 55 is in the neutral position, the electric power is cut off fromthe lead 86 so that the arm 34 is inoperative to make electrical connections, no matter what the speed of the governor may happen to be, and that connection is made through the contact at I60 to the lead I6I to the switch arm I62 carried by the gear shift lever 30.

I Should this-shift lever be in its left hand position engaging the contact I63, the lead I 64 to the solenoid-operated valve I00 is energized, openingconnection to the cylinder 21 in a direction to break connection with the contact I63,

,. while if it should be in engagement with the contact I65, i-t energizes the lead I66 which connects with the lead I35 and operates the valve 036 to open fluid pressure connections to the opposite" end of the cylinder I31. Thus, in whichever of its end positions the shifting lever may be, it is moved back therefrom to the mid or neutral position. 4

Should the control lever 55 be moved back to the reverse position, it connects the contacts I10 the battery line 51, while the lead I80 connects through the solenoid I84 to the ground at 63, this acting to hold the valve I08 closed, shutting off the passage 64 from the return line II5.

Means are also provided by which when emergency application of the brakes is made, the shift lever is returned to neutral from whatever position it may be in. This is done through the switch arm I90 which is actuated under predetermined pressure in the brake fiuid pressure line I9I actingback of the piston I92 in 9. cylinder I93 against the action of a spring I94. When the braking pressure is raised sufficiently, as when an emergency application is being made, the arm I90 makes connection with all the contacts I95, I96, I91 and I98. This opens connection from the pressure reservoir 49 to opposite ends of the cylinder 32 through energization of 'In Figure 2 is shown a diagram wherein the shifting of the gear shift lever is accomplished through vacuum rather than through fluid under pressure. Thus vacuum cylinders 3I0 and 320 are employed in place of the pressure cylinders 3I and 32 of Figure 1. The shifting mechanism is identical, except that there is no dog I50 and the cylinder 3| 0 is open to the fluid system at one end only, a spring 300 being employed to normally pull the rod 34 into its upward position. Vacuum connections to the lower portion of the cylinder 3 I 0 are made through the valve 30 I normally closed, and opened through energization of the solenoid 302. Vacuum connections to opposite ends of the cylinder 320 are controlled by The valve 3I1 has a bleeder port 3I10 connecting and HI which energizes the leads I12 and I 13.

The energization of the lead I13 which connects to the lead 92 moves the valve 93 in a direction to move the piston 34 downwardly while the energization of the lead I12 energizes the lead I 35 -wh'ich moves the valve I36 to open connection through the cylinder I31 and moves the shift cylinder 3| 5 to the atmosphere, when the valve cuts ofi from the vacuum pipe 3I6, which allows theclutch to close. are arranged to be actuated by the vacuum cylinders 3I9 and 325, respectively, connections thereto being controlled by the normally closed valves 326 and 321, respectively, which are opened by energization of their coils 328 and 329, respectively.

The accelerator pedal is arranged for connection to the gas throttle valve II through the clutch elements I3 and I4 and the vacuum cylinder 2| is controlled by the normally closed valve 21 just as in Figure 1.

The source of electric power is indicated at 330 p and a manually set control switch at 33I which may selectively engage the forward contact 332,

; ernor for moving a pivoted arm 3.4 I seriallyfrom engagement with the contacts 342 and 343 to the contacts 344, 345 and 346 as the speed of the rotation of the governor increases. When conlever to the left, these two motions shifting it 7 These valves 3I1 and 3I8 necting with contacts 344 and 345, respectively, the arm 341 also connects with contacts 341 and 340, respectively. This governor may be actuated as previously described.

The valve 311 is connected to the vacuum cylinder 319 through a pair of members 350 and 351 which have lost motion connection with each other, and the member 350 is also connected with lost motionto a rod 352 having a head 353 on one end which limits the extent of lost motion in one direction. Thus the valve 311 may be moved acted upon by a pull spring 360 in a direction to hold the rod 352 in the position shown in Figure 2 with the valve 311 held open. This bell crank lever arm 353, however, may be contacted by a. part 361 on the clutch pedal mechanism 362 so that as the pedal is depressed the bell crank lever 351 is rocked in a direction to release the rod 352, permitting the valve 311 to be closed by its spring 363. This opens a bleeder port 364 to the atmosphere and to the interior of the vacuum cylinder 315 which allows the clutch to close.

Assuming that it is desired to start the car, the engine is started, which immediately provides vacuum in the pipe 316, and the parts being in the position shown in Figure 2, this causes vacuum withinv the cylinder 315 to throw out the engine clutch. The switch arm 331 is then moved to its forward position, engaging the contact 332-. This energizes the lead 310, assuming the main switch 311 to be closed, and through the switch arm 341 energizes the lines 312 and 313. Energization of the line 313 energizes the solenoid 300 which then connects the right hand side of the cylinder 320 with the vacuum pipe 310, causing a shifting action of the gear shift lever to the right as viewed in this figure, or toward the front of the car, while the energization of the lead 312 acting through the lead 315 energizes coll 302 and opens the valve 30! to the vacuum pipe are and pulls the shift lever downwardly as viewed in this figure, or crosswise of the car, these two motions making the necessary connections in the transmission for low speed forward. The operator then depresses the accelerator pedal, relieving the rod 352, and allowing the valve 311 to close, which as before described, closes the clutch. The car now. is moving in low speed forward and a further depression of the accelerator pedal accelerates it, causing the governor 340 to move the arm 301 out of connection with the contacts 342 and 343, allowing the valves 306 and 301 to close from vacuum; The piston in cylinder 320 remaining in its right hand position, the spring 300 is unable'to move the rod 34. The governor arm then engages the contacts 344 and 341. Engaging the contact 3 11 energizes the leads 380 and 301, opening the cylinder 21 to the vacuum line 310 and disconnecting the throttle valve 11. Energization of the lead 380 also energizes the solenoid 323, opening the valve 326 so as to connect the cylinder 310 to the vacuum pipe 316; and disconnecting the clutch. The operator then relieves pressure on the accelerator. The clutch being open and connection being made between the arm 3'31 and the contact 360, energizes the line 38which energizes the coil 305 and opens the 352, allows the valve 311 to close which-permits the clutch to close. Further acceleration then speeds up the governor 340 which causes the arm 341 to engage the contacts 345 and 348,

which through energization of the lead 380, again disconnects the accelerator from the throttle 11, permitting this to closeand opens the valve 306 to vacuum and throws the shift lever into high speed position. The inertia of the parts causes the lever 341 to be thrown beyond the contacts 340 and 345 into connection with the contact 346. This closes a connection through the lead 381 to the solenoid 329 which opens vacuum connection to the cylinder 325 and closes the valve 318, so that the clutch is then out of control by the valve 311 so that this clutch cannot be opened until the speed of the car is sufliciently reduced for the arm 341 to drop back out of engagement with the contact 346.

With the switch arm 331 placed in neutral position the shift lever is returned to its neutral position by mechanism including the switch arm 162 and contacts 163 and 165, which operate in the same manner as described in connection with Figure 1. With the switch 331 thrown to reverse it energizes the contacts 334 and 335 which energizes the solenoids 305 and-301, resulting in placing the shift lever in its reverse position, the actuation of the accelerator pedal thereafter effecting the closing of the main clutch in the manner previously described.

From the foregoing-description-of certain embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various further changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit 'or scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A control system for a vehicle having a motor, a propeller shaft, change gear mechanism between said motor and shaft, and a main clutch interposed etween said motor and shaft, said system inc uding a speed responsive means connected to be driven by said propeller shaft, means driven by said motor for producing fluid pressure, means actuated by fluid from said producing means for shifting said mechanism from one speed ratio to another and for actuating said clutch, means controlled by said speed responsive mechanism for controlling said clutch actuating means to open said clutch, and means rendered operative by the opening of said clutch to render said speed responsive device operative to control said shifting means to shift said change gear mechanism in accordance with the speed of the device and then to actuate said clutch actuating means to close said clutch.

2. A vehicle control system for a vehicle having a motor, a throttle for said motor, a propeller shaft, change gear mechanism, and a main clutch interposed between said motor and shaft, said system including a speed-responsive device con-' nected to be driven by said propeller shaft, means controlled by said device to close said throttle and then automatically open said clutch, shift said mechanism and then close said clutch .as

, the rate of rotation of said propeller shaft inshaft, change gear mechanism between said.

motor and shaft having a shift device movable in two angularly related relations, and a clutch interposed between said motor and shaft, said system including a speed-responsive device connected to be driven by said propeller shaft, a pair of motor devices connected to move said shift device in said twodirections, a motor device controlling said clutch, and means controlled by the response of said responsive device to actuate said motor devices to render inoperative said operator-controlled means to throw out said clutch, and means responsive to the opening of said clutch and to said speed-responsive device to move said shift devices atpredetermined speeds, said system including means controlling said clutch motor device to close said clutch after said shift device has been moved and to'return the speed control of said motor to said operatorcontrolled means.

4. A control system for a vehicle having a motor, an operator-controlled means normally controlling the speed of said motor a propeller shaft, change gear mechanism between said motor and shaft having a shift device movable in two angularly related directions, and a clutch said motor and shaft having a shift device movable in two angularly related directions, and a clutch interposed between said motor and shaft, said system including a vacuum pipe communicating with said motor, a device responsive to the speed of rotation of said propeller shaft, a pair of vacuum-actuated means for moving said shift device in said two directions, vacuum-actuated means for opening said-clutch, vacuum means for operatively disconnecting said operator-controlled means, valves interposed between said pipe and vacuum-actuated means, means controlled by the response of said speed-responsive device I to actuate said valves toopen said clutch, and

interposed between said motor and shaft, said system including a speed-responsive device connected to be driven by said propeller shaft, a pair of motor devices connected to move said shift device in said two directions, a motor device controlling said clutch, and electrical means controlled by the response of said responsive device causing said motor devices to render inoperative said operator-controlled means and throw out said clutch, and means responsive to the opening of said clutch and to said speed responsive device to move said shift devices at predetermined speeds, said system including means controlling said clutch motor device to close said clutch after said shift device has been moved and to return the speed control of said motor to said operator-controlled means.

5. A control system for a vehicle having a motor, a propeller shaft, change gear mechanism between said motor and shaft having a shift device movable in two angularly related directions, and a clutch interposed between said motor and shaft, said system including a speed-responsive device connected to be driven bysaid propeller shaft, a pair of motor devices connected to move said shift device in said two directions, a motor device controlling said clutch, electrical means controlled by the response of said responsive de- 6. A control system for a vehicle having an internal combustion motor, operator-controlled means for normally controlling the motor speed, a propeller shaft, change gear meansbetween means responsive to the opening of said clutch and to said response to shift said shift device, said system including means for closing said clutch and returning said operator-controlled means to motor speed control after said shifting device has been actuated.

7. A control system for a vehicle having a motor, a propeller shaft, change gear mechanism between said motor and shaft, said mechanism having a neutral condition in which it is inoperativeto transmit power from said motor to said shaft, and a main clutch interposed between said motor and shaft, said system including. a speed-. responsive means connected to be driven bysaid propeller shaft, means controlled by said speedemergency brake application to place said change gear mechanism in neutral condition.

8. A control system for a vehicle having a motor, a propeller shaft, change gear mechanism between said motor and shaft, said mechanism having a neutral condition in which it is inopera-' tive to transmit power from said motor to said shaft, and a main clutch interposed between said motor and shaft, said system including a speedresponsive means connected to be driven by said propeller shaft, means controlled by said speedresponsive means for automatically opening said clutch and shifting said mechanism from one speed ratio to another in accordance with the speed of said propeller shaft, said system also having means for closing said clutch after the shiftingof said mechanism has been effected, a brake for the vehicle, and means responsive to emergency brake application to place said change gear mechanism in neutral condition and to open said clutch.

9. A control system for a vehicle having a motor, a propeller shaft, change gear mechanism between said motor and shaft, said mechanism having a neutral position in which it is inoperative to transmit power from said motor to said shaft, and a main clutch interposed between said motor and shaft, said system including a speedresponsive means connected to be driven by said propeller shaft, means controlled by said speedresponsive means for automatically opening said clutch and shifting said mechanism from one speed ratio to another in accordance with the speed of said propeller shaft, said system also having means for closing said clutch after the shifting of said mechanism has been effected, a

brake for the vehicle including a fluid pressure line, and means responsive to a predetermined pressure in said line for conditioning said system condition and to throw out said clutch as when an emergency application ofthe brake is being made.

10.'A control system for a vehicle having a motor, a propeller shaft, change gear mechanism between said motor and shaft, said mechanism having a neutral condition in which it is inoperative to transmit motion from said motor to said shaft, fluid pressure mechanism for operating 10 to place said change gear mechanism in neutral.

said change gear mechanism to change from one to another driving ratio and to place in neutral 

